Baby Steps

In the previous post I mentioned Jackson has started the walking process. We couldn't be more terrified thrilled at this recent milestone! He started taking steps around his 11 month birthday (one and then falling) and has progressed since.

Today I finally got it on film as he inched his way to our open refrigerator....

He seems to stand up and walk over to the refrigerator every time I have the door open for more than a second.

Incidentally when I was putting groceries away the other day I left it open for a few minutes and turned around to this:

Busted. Looks like in addition to the casualties of walking, we are also going to have to talk about the casualties of drinking and walking. Never a dull moment...

Sand, Snow and Santa

Friends and family, we have returned! We had the most epic Christmas break our little family could have ever asked for and I'll give you/show you the rundown of what went down...

We went to Turks and Caicos sans our sweet little cub to enjoy some time to ourselves before Christmas. It was in a word, perfect. Exactly what we needed and helped us completely relax after an extremely active last quarter of 2011.

After one day there we missed our boy like crazy! Thank you, thank you, thank you mom and dad for watching Jackson while we were away and for putting up with my 25 phone calls a day, my control-freak nature and my extreme OCD.

Seriously, the fact that my parents still love me is a true testament to their loyalty. Love you mami y papi :)

From warm sunny weather and sand beneath our toes we returned to my parents' house to this...

Cold weather, wind and snowwwwwww. El Paso had a white Christmas y'all! Even the dogs didn't want to go outside and instead chose to huddle together for some extra warmth...

The snow however did NOT deter Mr. Jackson. He was THRILLED to pieces at the white stuff and especially enjoyed eating it...

We celebrated Christmas eve around a warm fire and had our annual family cocktail party--decked out in matching red sweaters to make my mom happy because she likes us all to 'match' during Christmas. I know what you're thinking...this is a GREAT tradition right?! Well, I'll let you be the judge of that....

Let's just say I'm glad cocktails are involved in the red-sweater extravaganza that goes down every Christmas eve.

Anyways, Jackson didn't last too long as he was over served on milk. He went straight to bed and told us he couldn't WAIT to see what Santa brought him!

Christmas morning he was up bright and early and ready to see all of his neat presents.

While he thoroughly enjoyed playing with his gifts for 12.6 seconds he decided that the present he loves most of all is his 'lechita' (milk).

Can you find the baby in the wrapping paper?!

After an eventful morning, Gordo sat us all down and told us this was the most amazing Christmas he has ever been a part of and can't wait to do it again next year.

He then stood up, took a few steps!!! (More on this later!!!), yawned, and bid us adieu as he climbed up the stairs to take his morning nap.

We had an AMAZING Christmas with our little cub and we hope y'all had a loving and blessed one as well!

11 Months!!!

Just Because...

We’re getting ready to head out tomorrow for our fantastic Christmas adventure. I wanted to post these pics of the cub looking oh-so-cute to remind myself of how perfect he CAN be.

I think they'll help when he decides to throw a fit around hour 4, 5, 6 and/or 7 of the trip....

Jackson meets Leighton...FINALLY!!!!

As you recall we celebrated baby Leighton's birthday back in May when she was born. She is that chick from Dubai and the daughter of our dear friends, Jon and Hillary.

We have been patiently waiting the Cumberworth's arrival since the day they left for Dubai, (which was back in February) so to say we are excited they are finally here is a severe understatement.

We have already spent a lot of time with them and they have been gracious enough to let me stalk them on various outings. Jackson has met Leighton via Skye but never in real life so he was excited to see what all this hype was about.

Here is Leighton telling Jackson all about her world travels and what its like living in Dubai. She also told him how she came over on a BIG plane and flew 17 hours (and only slept 4 hours) to get to Austin with only her mom in tow, (yea Hillary is kind of our hero right now).

They went to lunch together and Jackson was in thug mode and that kind of upset Ms. L...

...but she got over it quickly and decided to lend him her excersaucer which he almost destroyed...
All in all the visits have been fabulous and we are sooooo happy they are finally here. It's going to be a GREAT Christmas holiday because of their presence and I'll keep y'all posted with the cub's & Leighton's adventures.

Jackson meets Santa!

We took Jackson to meet Santa so that he could tell him what he wanted for Christmas. We waited in line for an hour in freezing weather, we talked to his elf for 10 minutes about the photo package and I listened intently to Santa's EXACT instructions. 13 seconds later this is what we ended up with:

This is what Jack and I expected would happen. At first I was pretty disappointed in the results and lack of customer service. Now, however I've decided that this picture makes me all kinds of happy. So...

Photo package "special": $30

Photo CD: "$25

Look on Jackson's face when he met Mr. Claus: PRICELESSSSSSSS

Oh, and the cub was all smiles as soon as I picked him back up. He told Jack and I he wants a bike from the fat man in the red suit.

Peanut Butter Jelly Time

Another Day, Another Hotel Room

When Jack told us he was going away to a conference for 2 days we got pretty sad. Then he asked if we wanted to tag along....who US?! We're suckers for room service so of course we said yes. You know this kid has seen his fare share of hotel rooms!

This hotel in particular though went all out for the cub and he received a stuffed frog when he checked in. Jackson however, wasn't impressed...Then on his bed (yes HIS bed) he got a special pillow with the perfect message for him. Still not impressed...His own toiletry bag with all the latest baby essentials...nah.
What did he love most? THE BATHTUB!!!!!!!!!!

Turkey Day

Our Thanksgiving was spent at Grammy & Pops' house in Killeen, TX--as we have done every year. Only difference? We actually celebrated on Thursday instead of Friday this year!

Thanksgiving is Jack's FAVORITE holiday (mine is Halloween with Christmas a close second) so in years past we have typically gone to the Cowboys game on Thursday and Jack's mom has been kind enough to move her cooking to Friday instead.

Well this year however, we have a new addition...one who probably wouldn't fare too well at a Cowboys game--so for the first time in a long time we got to celebrate the same way everyone else does!

With some football....good arm huh?

Fun Family time...

Outdoor exploring (leaves are a HUGE fascination)...

and.....TURKEY (with all the fixins' of course)!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Lion Cub had lots of fun partaking in the bird, the veggies, and the rolls. He had a wonderful Thanksgiving and he wanted me to tell y'all that he hopes y'all had a good one too!

From our family to yours---HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!

Swim School

Today we started swim school. I enrolled Jackson last week and talked it up to him this whole time. He was extremely excited to get back in the water (it's been a few months since he's been in a pool) and thoroughly enjoyed himself.

We practiced our kicks...

and floating on our backs...

and then dada showed up! Jackson and I were SOOOO happy to see Jack dropped by for his very first class!

the cub did AMAZINGLY well. He did absolutely everything his swim coach asked and even jumped off the tower when Jack said, "JUMP!".

Best of all our new friend Jalen and his momma Shelley are in our class so the boys had fun splashing around together.

Our sweet boy thanked us profusely and I was so happy to tell him we get to do it all over again every week!

10 Months!!!

weight: 23 lbs even (but he was wearing a diaper so probably a little less {it was clean})

height: forget about it people, it wasn't happening today...a little over 30'' if I had to guess (he was 29.5 ins. at his 9 month appt.)

The Doctor's Lounge

Yesterday my dad picked us up from the airport mid afternoon so he still had to work. We tagged along with him and Jackson got to experience the wonder that is a Doctor's Lounge.

When my brothers and I were younger and my dad had 'kid duty' it usually meant us going to work with him and sometimes sitting in Doctor's Lounges for HOURS on end. They became a home away from home if you will.

We always minded our manners. Jackson on the other hand, spilled Cheerios all over the place and broke the recliner. Nice huh?

Hopefully my dad will think twice before taking him to the dialysis units and hospital biopsies. God only knows what kind of damage he'll do there...

KGB Kid

Jackson is NOT happy about the change in weather. He had been so enjoying the cooler temps. I told him we'd go to El Paso this week though where it'll be A LOT cooler than here. He got happy after that.

Jalen and Jackson

Jalen is Jackson's newest BFF. We met Jalen and his momma Shelley in the Nordstrom's bathroom and we've been fast friends ever since. Shelley is a talented photographer and Jalen is the most amazing of models for his mom...

I'm happy to report that Jackson did VERY well on his play date and was not only interacting a TON with Jalen but also sharing his toys with him!

We're excited for future play dates and even a play group! At my house no less! I know, I'm seriously making leaps and bounds people. Jackson is going to have a plethora of friends with all this socializing that's been going on!